Bill Hader Surprised How Funny Brian Williams Is

By Nicki Gostin Posted May 20th 2011 11:30AM

Most Saturday nights, Bill Hader effortlessly fills your Stefon, Vinny and impressions fix (65 so far in six seasons) on 'Saturday Night Live.' But this summer, his Sunday nights will be spent hosting 'TCM Essentials Jr.' on Turner Classic Movies, introducing his favorite classic films that are great for parents to watch with their kids. The father of one spoke with PopEater about old movies, the art of comedy and 'SNL,' in which he lavishes praise on the surprisingly funny Brian Williams and admits he has a zen attitude about getting sketches on the highly competitive show.

What's the definition of comedy. Is it what Woody Allen says, tragedy plus time?
(Laughs) I don't know what the definition of comedy is. I really don't. I don't know what the definition of a lot of things are, though that sounds like a good definition.

Which celebrity guest on 'SNL' has surprised you the most in a good way?
I knew Brian Williams was funny because I met him and it was like, 'Wow, Brian Williams is really funny and silly,' but when he came on the show he did characters like a Brooklyn fire fighter and he was really great.

How competitive is it to get a sketch on these days?
The show's kind of built to be competitive but that doesn't mean we're competitive with each other. I never feel like I'm in competition with people on the show. We're an ensemble and we all like each other. But the way the show's built, yeah, you're turning stuff in and it's either picked or not picked. When I first started I was more like, 'Gosh fingers crossed,' but as you're there longer and feel more comfortable, you try it and you hope it goes well and if it doesn't it's like, Oh well.' All you can do is write what you find funny and you feel would work on the show, that's all you can do.

How did you get involved with TCM?
In September I programmed a night on TCM and they were bringing back this show, Essentials Jr and they asked me if I wanted to do it. A lot of my really fond memories of watching old movies was always with my family and I thought it would be great so I said sure. They gave me a list of 30 and I had to choose 13. I've always liked old movies since I was a kid. These were movies I was totally into when I was young and in my teens. I wasn't thinking, oh kids would love this or parents will want to show their kids this movie.

Had you seen all of them?
No, they had some Andy Hardy movies I'd never seen.

Back to 'SNL' ... Who's the unfunniest person on the show?
Oh, everyone's funny.

I'm kidding! But seriously it's Andy Samberg, right? (See my video interview with Andy here.)
Oh yeah right, he's never done anything funny.